Pool....................3

Ilkley.................3

Pool went into this game with a hangover from their cup final defeat the previous Monday and with a couple of late changes because of work commitments. Consequently, they never got going in the first-half.

Ilkley always looked more dangerous and several breaks led to some good chances being wasted.

When Ilkley did score the only goal of the first-half, it came from a mix-up between Atkinson and Willoughby. They both hesitated and allowed an Ilkley forward to nip in and poke the ball home.

After a managerial roasting at half-time Pool came out looking to improve. Although the quality of the football wasn't the best, they showed more grit.

Having by this time gone 2-0 down, they started to create a few chances, one of which was converted by Outterside, who slipped his shot under the unsighted 'keeper.

However, Ilkley restored their two-goal lead, and this led to a tactical change, Horsley being sent on for Carlton, with Healey being pushed forward to a more advanced role in midfield.

A slick move down the right ended in Joyce clipping in a cross which evaded the 'keeper.

This gave Pool some hope and they pressed hard. The home side were rewarded when ex-Pool player Matt Trimnell, who had not put a foot wrong all night, lunged to try to clear a cross and put the ball into his own net. Pool's match point went to Andy Staniforth.

WETHERBY................0

POOL........................8

It took Pool just 54 seconds to open the scoring in this Harrogate League Premier Division game when a drive by Andy Staniforth took a deflection and left the 'keeper with no chance.

They visitors had killed the game off by the 20th minute with further strikes by Jackson (2) and Outterside.

Wetherby, with only ten men, to their credit tried to put some passes together but never gave the Pool back three any real problems.

Taylor made it 5-0 at the interval with a cross-shot into the top corner.

The second-half never got going as a game and it took Pool a further 30 minutes to extend their lead, Jackson completing his hat-trick. Further goals from Taylor and Joyce completed the scoring.

Although an 8-0 scoreline looks good, Pool still need to find a bit more with the quarter-final of the League Cup coming up.

POOL RESERVES...........1

KIRK DEIGHTON...........2

Pool Reserves badly needed three points from this, their last match of the season. They were third from bottom of the First Division, with Rawdon and Dalton Athletic breathing down their necks and with games still to play.

Their cause wasn't helped by a hand injury to 'keeper Luke Newns, which led to him being replaced by striker Chris Graham.

As ever, Kirk Deighton arrived with a clash of colours and had to turn their shirts inside out. This left them looking somewhat wishy-washy, which just about summed up the match.

To their credit, Pool played with the urgency which their precarious position required and did enough to win.

David Newbould put them ahead from the penalty spot and though Kirk Deighton soon equalised, Pool were robbed of a potential vital second goals.

A blatant handball in front of goal saw the ball drop to Paul Waite, but the 'keeper saved and that was that. The referee, whilst admitting that a penalty offence had been committed, blamed Waite for failing to score and played on - a decision regarded as quite bizarre by the home fans.

Equally odd was the Kirk Deighton winner, an attempted ball across goal being turned into his own net by Richard Metcalfe.

His bad luck summed up Pool's day as the match ended with a few unfortunate niggles among the players. Manager Martin Webster and his team can now only wait and hope.

Pool's match point went to the ever-reliable Newbould.

POOL A ......................5

PARK ROW ASSOC......2

In this bottom of Division Three clash on a bright spring afternoon, Pool A's minds were focused by a strong team talk from manager Murphy.

They set off with plenty of promise and Wilkinson found the net twice in the opening ten minutes with some clinical finishing.

A third Pool score arrived courtesy of an own goal by the Park Row centre-back after a precision cross from Evans.

Pool's captain, Jones, led the team from the back with Boulton and Kitchen putting in strong performances.

The home side indulged in some excellent passing from the midfield quartet of Howden, Groves, Frankie and Stott and made it 4-0 by the interval when Howden rocketed the ball into the net from an acute angle.

In the second-half Wilkinson completed his hat-trick to put Pool five goals up and almost added to this when Forrest dazzled the visiting defence but couldn't finish.

Although Park Row hit back with two goals in the dying minutes, this was Pool's most convincing display of the season.

Town share

the spoils

Otley TOWN.....1

LITTLETOWN......1

OTLEY Town completed their home fixtures for this season with a disappointing performance against Littletown. The game never really got going in terms of football played and only in spells did Otley get the ball on the ground and use the pitch to its maximum.

Littletown made five changes to their line-up from the previous game which Town won comfortably 4-2. Once again Langhorn and Lee up front for Otley caused the Littletown defence problems with their good control and understanding.

Graeme Hutchinson was first to have a great effort saved by the 'keeper, and then Damien Lee hit a great freekick which was blocked by a defender.

Littletown came out for the second- half in a much more determined fashion and pressed Otley Town back for long spells. Ben Hawley in the centre of midfield was a constant thorn in Littletown's side by breaking up attacks and getting tackles in all over the pitch.

On 75 minutes a great ball into the town box was headed home by their No 8 to put Littletown 1-0 up. Damien Lee then got involved with the match officials and was sent off, putting more pressure on his team mates.

To their credit, the Otley players found another gear and started passing the ball much better and with ten minutes to go a great move involving Lunn, Hutchinson and Hawley resulted in Langhorn chipping the 'keeper to level the scores.

Ross Baron twisted awkwardly and was left writhing in agony before going to hospital. The game finished 1-1 with no further goal-mouth action and that just leaves two away games for Otley at Fields on Saturday and then Golcar to be arranged.